In case you forgot, Ben Simmons wants you to know that he is ‘not that bad’ at basketball

Welcome to the NBA offseason. Ben Simmons and the Brooklyn Nets held their annual Media Day yesterday and like clockwork, Simmons promised anyone who would listen that he is in fact, good at basketball.

Especially in Philly, it’s no secret that Ben Simmons will historically be one of the most disliked athletes to ever play in the city of Brotherly Love.

Personally, I love him but that doesn’t stop everyone else from targeting him with endless jokes and criticism for what has been able to achieve or really, not achieve in the NBA over the past few seasons.

Every offseason, Ben Simmons is back in the gym working on his game. He’s knocking down jumpers, appearing to be in elite shape, and telling everyone that he’s “ready to go” for the upcoming NBA season.

That of course, does not happen, leaving Simmons as the main target for jokes and criticism as he vows to rewrite in career.

Why Ben Simmons continues to do this is beyond me.

This is someone who played 15 games last year and 42 the season before with the Brooklyn Nets after straight up quitting on the Philadelphia 76ers.

Can’t knock the confidence. Ahead of the Nets’ training camp, Simmons spoke with reporters and didn’t hold back on letting the YES Network know that people have simply forgotten just how good he can be when he’s healthy. “I think people forget I’m pretty good,” Simmons said, pushing back against his doubters.

Ben Simmons: Good at Basketball

“I think people forget me as a player when I am healthy. I can play basketball. I'm pretty good.”

– Ben Simmons

(🎥 @AhnFireDigital )

pic.twitter.com/8V7KpNAhmM

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 30, 2024

A reporter also pointed out that Simmons currently sits 14th on the NBA’s all-time triple-doubles list. His response? “I’m not that bad at basketball.” That’s about as straightforward as it gets. Despite everything, Simmons is making a point—he’s still got the talent, and he’s eager to remind everyone of that fact.

Ben Simmons: Not That Bad at Basketball

Ben Simmons when asked what being 14th in NBA history in triple-doubles says about his skillset:

"That I'm not that bad at basketball." pic.twitter.com/qe8ew8j2qn

— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) September 30, 2024

The big question for Simmons is whether he can finally stay healthy.

Back issues have plagued him for the past few seasons, limiting him to just 15 games last year and 42 the season before. He’s reportedly feeling good after undergoing a procedure for his back, but it’s always tough to predict how an injury-prone player will hold up over the course of a long season.

Even when he’s on the court, Simmons has struggled with his shooting, a well-documented issue that’s hurt his game. There’s been some buzz around his recent workout videos showing an improved shot, but as everyone knows, knocking down jumpers in practice and doing it in live games are two very different things.

I will say, with the Philadelphia 76ers, Ben Simmons was good at basketball – averaging 16/8/7 over 275 games.

2017-18: 33.7 MPG | 15.8 PPG | 8.1 RPG | 8.2 APG | 1.7 SPG | 6.7 FGM | 12.3 FGA | 54.5 FG%

2018-19: 34.2 MPG | 16.9 PPG | 8.8 RPH | 7.7 APG | 1.4 SPG | 6.8 FGM | 12.2 FGA | 56.3 FG%

2019-20: 35.4 MPG | 16.4 PPG | 7.8 RPG | 8.0 APG | 2.1 SPG | 6.6 FGM | 11.4 FGA | 58 FG%

2020-21: 32.4 MPG | 14.3 | 7.2 RPG | 6.9 APG | 1.6 SPG | 5.6 FGM | 10.1 FGA | 55.7 FG% 

Just to be clear, in the playoffs, over three appearances with the Philadelphia 76ers, Ben Simmons averaged 13.9 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 7.5 assists over 34 games. 

So yeah, he’s pretty good at basketball and I really don’t believe it’s up for debate. The question remains however, is why Ben Simmons likes to tell everyone he’s good at basketball instead of actually, you know, being good at basketball.

Injuries have played their part but that’s clearly not the only problem. At the very least, moving forward, it works in Simmons’ favor that expectations for him are at an all-time low. After several seasons of disappointing basketball, nobody’s really banking on him to make a huge impact on the Brooklyn Nets this season. That gives him a unique opportunity—if he can stay healthy and produce at a high level, he’ll catch a lot of people off guard.

As Simmons himself said, “I think people forget. When I’m healthy, I can play basketball. I’m pretty good, right?” But right now, it’s probably best for everyone if he just shows it.

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